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This month, It’s Just Lunch is celebrating 30 years of first dates and success stories.
It’s Just Lunch was created as a proactive solution to the difficult, frustrating dating scene for busy professionals in 1991. Since then, times have certainly changed, but our signature process and passion for helping singles find the spark remain.
Here are a few of our favorite success stories over the last 30 years.
TRACY & MIKE, Denver
We were both divorced, and we both had children about the same ages. We had tried online dating, but I found that until you meet someone face to face, there is just no way to know if there is any chemistry there. It felt like so much wasted time. We are both busy and online dating did not fit into our daily routines.
When I met Mike there was a spark right away! Later in our relationship we both remarked that there was immediate trust on both sides. We don't know why that is because we had both come out of long-term marriages where trust was in short supply. I had been on maybe a dozen IJL dates up to that point. This was the very first time I wanted to share my contact info. I think we had already settled on meeting again before we parted that day. Chemistry is a real thing!
LAUREN & ADAM, Washington, DC
I was single and never married. I don't have children. My longest previous relationship had been just a few months. Most of my previous dates were from Tinder or Bumble, and none of them were really serious about a long-term relationship, which I wanted. I liked not having to sift through dozens of profiles and do the back and forth of deciding upon a place to meet. I felt a little safer meeting people through IJL than on dating apps. I liked having a date about once a week pre-arranged for me.
When I met Adam, I definitely wanted a second date, and the time we spent together on our first date passed so effortlessly. We were nervous of each other though, but I liked the extent to which we were able to be honest with each other.
KRISTIN & KYLE, Minneapolis
Prior to IJL, both of us were single with no children and knew we wanted to get married and have kids. We both tried every dating site possible. I even made a bet to prove to people I was committed to dating to find 'my person' by going on 10 Tinder dates. It was unsuccessful time and time again. I was tired of spending all my time on dating sites scrolling and writing people to meet them and discover they were really looking for a rebound partner, weren't ready for marriage or just weren't a good fit
When we met, I think we both knew instantly, but tried to be rational because that sounds crazy. Each week that passed I was still convinced he was the one. Both of us were thinking, this is too good to be true, when is this going to go south; It never did.
If you are truly ready then do it. It could take a month or a year, but the effort and service you get from the IJL team makes dating bearable.
CHRISTY & GREG, Cleveland
I happened to get a call from IJL one day and I took a leap of faith.
When I met Greg, we were both smitten right away. The date went really well. The conversation was balanced and flowed naturally. We didn't want the night to end. But we were both worried it was too good to be true.
My favorite part of IJL was that it was hassle free. All I had to do was be honest about what I wanted and show up at the date. You guys did the rest. My advice to anyone thinking of joining IJL is to take the leap of faith. You never know when you're going to meet the right person and you never want to ask yourself 40 years down the road, "what if I would have tried it?"
BRUCE & NOELLE, Milwaukee
We never lost contact for a day after that first date. There were phone calls and texts every day. Just a few days after that first date we were talking on the phone, and I was listening to Bruce tell a story about work. The way he handled a situation was so similar to the way I would have handled it and I loved the way his mind worked. I couldn't wait to see him again and waiting for his phone call each night was the best thing about my day.
IJL is so worth it! Dates with guys that aren't a waste of time. Every date brought me closer to my Bruce because the matchmaker listened to what I wanted and what I did not want and put me with people that were great matches.
DAN & KARIN, Chicago
With It’s Just Lunch, I liked that I didn't have to waste time looking through profiles. I hadn't done too much online dating, but I knew I really didn't enjoy the process; I found it to be too time intensive. I preferred the IJL approach--I'd get a call from a matchmaker and show up at the restaurant and have a good time.
When I met Dan, I was immediately struck by his huge, warm smile and beautiful blue eyes. He was very kind and such a gentleman. Plus, he was a very good conversationalist.
My advice would be, don't write it off after a few "just ok" dates! You're not going to have an intense connection with everyone, but don't give up. I met Dan in my second year with the program. I went through one membership (and met a nice guy I dated for about 8 months). There was about a year when I wasn't with IJL. Then a matchmaker called to ask about my dating status. I'd just broken up with a guy and I figured, "What the heck. I've got nothing going on. I might as well join IJL again." I activated my membership again in January and met Dan in August.
BEAU & JESALYN, San Francisco
I was traveling, on planes, at hotels, and dating was a challenge. IJL is like having a close friend who you trust to set you up, but even better because they’re professionals. They know what they’re doing, and they do everything for you. Date, time, and where to go. They even worked with restaurants in advance so there wouldn’t be any awkward moments. To have someone doing all the work on the back end was such a blessing
When I first talked with Matchmaker, I said, ‘If you can find me somebody who wants to go on skiing adventures, you will have a friend for life.’ She asked what my interests were, who I was attracted to, what my goals were, and what I wanted from my partner.
The science and art of matchmaking and their commitment to seeing it through. Perseverance and advocating for me. My matchmaker listened, she asked excellent questions, and she also paid attention to details.
We do love a good story, and we can’t wait to be a part of yours.